Denver Paper Debunks Helton to Angels Rumor

Rockies general manager Dan O’Dowd on Friday denied a story in the Los Angeles Times that quoted major league sources saying the Rockies have renewed talks with the Los Angeles Angels about a Todd Helton trade, a deal that was discussed briefly at the annual winter meetings.

"There is absolutely nothing there," O’Dowd said. "I haven’t talked to (general manager) Bill Stoneman or anyone with the Angels since the winter meetings. I have no idea who came up with that story."

In addition to $91.1 million in guaranteed money still remaining on the final five years of his contract, Helton has a complete no-trade clause, and he has shown no interest in playing for a West Coast team. Angels owner Arte Moreno ordered the Angels to back out of trade talks concerning Helton because he said he was concerned about Helton’s age (33), recent health issues and declining power.

That’s twice this month that Times writer Mike DiGiovanna claimed the Angels were planning to trade Casey Kotchman and others to the Rockies for Helton, and twice the Rockies front office has been quoted by Denver papers saying DiGiovanna was wrong.

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